Human Remains Found In California Identified As Missing NJ Woman

NEW JERSEY — Human remains discovered in Southern California have been positively identified to be Lauren Cho, a 30-year-old New Jersey woman who's been missing for more than three months, authorities said Thursday.

"The cause and manner of death is pending toxicology results. No further information will be released on this case until such time toxicology results are available and new information is discovered as a result," said The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Cho vanished on June 28 during a cross-country trip to California with her boyfriend. Authorities said she had been staying at a home in the 8600 block of Benmar Trail. She was reportedly under mental distress when she walked away from the place she'd been staying. It was her boyfriend who ultimately reported her missing, CBS New York reported.

This prompted a widespread search that uncovered unidentified human remains in the rugged terrain of the open desert of Yucca Valley on Oct. 10. They were found near Cho's last known whereabouts. Read More: New Developments In Case Of NJ Woman Missing Since June

The remains were transported to the San Bernardino County Coroner's Division where staff positively identified the human remains to be Cho.

Her sister set up a Facebook and her friends set up a website during the search of Cho:

Cho, who grew up in Hunterdon County, was described as a talented vocalist with a Bachelor of Music Degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton. She taught high school music in Irvington Township, is a former piercing apprentice at Diamond Heart Piercing and is a former section leader of a church choir in Lambertville, where she has many dear friends, according to laurencho.com.

She also had a parrotlet named Porkchop that she didn't like to leave. Since her disappearance, Porkchop became sick and has succumbed to the illness, according to laurencho.com.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.